Hyundai A-League preview: Glory v Victory

It’s a Wednesday night showdown in the west as this season’s Westfield FFA Cup finalists do battle. Can Glory exact revenge and extend Victory’s surprise losing run or will the faltering champions bounce back to form at nib?

Glory moved off the bottom of the Hyundai A-League with Saturday night’s much-needed over the Mariners.

Could this mark the start of a purple wave back up the ladder? That’s what coach Kenny Lowe will be hoping as the wounded champions visit nib for a crunch midweek clash.

This fixture was deferred in round 5 due to the two club’s playing in the FFA Cup decider, which Victory won 2-0. Much has changed since then with Glory enduring a rough patch in the A-League while Victory have lost their last two on the spin.

Something has to give in this one.

Andy Keogh’s signing has lifted the mood at Glory and with Nebojsa Marinkovic back in form, the injury-hit Perth side may be starting to believe again.

This will be a good test of their resolve though. Victory has racked up the frequent flyer miles of late, going from Auckland to Sydney in successive weeks and now to Perth.

You would excuse Kevin Muscat’s side for being a little jaded in their third match in 10 days.

With a huge Melbourne derby to come on the weekend, he may be tempted to make a few changes to freshen up his starting XI.

Youngsters Scott Galloway and former Glory man Jesse Makarounas have been added to the squad, while the likes of Olyroos duo Connor Pain and Giancarlo Gallifuoco are pressing for starts.

It’s hard to believe Victory – blessed with so much attacking firepower - have been kept scoreless for more than four hours of A-League action.

OPTA DATA

Perth Glory is unbeaten against the Victory in their last three Hyundai A-League games (W1 D2).

Victory has lost two Hyundai A-League games in a row for the first time since January 2014, they haven’t lost three in a row since February 2013.

Perth has had 58 shots (inc blocked) inside the opposition box so far in the Hyundai A-League – only Newcastle Jets have had fewer (53).

ROUTE TO GOAL

How good was it to see Nebo Marinkovic back to his best on the weekend?

On his day he’s one of the most devastating players in the competition. Glory’s attack has been toothless for much of the season but when Marinkovic is “on”, they have goals in them.

With Fernandez and Sidnei still sidelined, Chris Harold’s pace is more important than ever for Kenny Lowe’s side. Harold looks to get in behind the defence at every opportunity, which could happen against Victory if Gyorgy Sandor can get his range of passing going.

The Wanderers showed the best way to blunt Victory’s star-studded attack last Saturday night.

Cut off the service to Berisha while giving no time on the ball to the midfield trio of Finkler, Bozanic and Mahazi.

If Glory can have similar success, Victory could struggle to break them down, although wingers Ben Khalfallah and Barbarouses have the pace and trickery to unlock any defence.

Look for the visitors to attack Perth down their right, with Geria and Barbarouses looking to exploit the – at times – vulnerable Marc Warren.

WHO’S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?

Danny Vukovic. The experienced gloveman was at fault for the second goal in the loss to the Wanderers on Saturday night and will be desperate to make amends against his former club. He’ll have to be on his game, especially with Marinkovic finding his goal-scoring boots again and his deadly set-pieces.